Ray Whitty's practice includes prosecuting utility patent applications and litigation support for intellectual property matters. His experience also includes patent prosecution in mechanical, medical device and chemical inventions, opinions, licensing, litigation support and client counsel on development, acquisition and use of intellectual property.

Prior to receiving his law degree, Mr. Whitty was a law clerk in the intellectual property department of Motorola, Boynton Beach, Florida, a summer intern for Judge A. Jay Cristol of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida and a research assistant for the Office of Naval Research, Tallahassee, Florida. Mr. Whitty was also appointed by Congressman Charles E. Bennett, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., to serve as a congressional page.

By ISRAEL GUTIERREZ Contributing Writer With the NCAA Indoor Championships just a week away, the UF men's and women's track and field teams are looking for a few late entries into the event. The No. 12 women's team is sending 14 athletes in six different events to the Butler Invitational in Indianapolis on Saturday in hopes of qualifying them for NCAAs.

The Gators are putting a positive slant on their disappointing third-place finish in last week's Southeastern Conference Championships as they enter the qualifying meet.

Last season, UF defeated eventual national champion Louisiana State to win the conference, but then stumbled to finish fifth in the NCAA Women's coach Tom Jones said he would not mind swapping an SEC title for the national crown.

"I don't know any coach who wouldn't make that trade," Jones said.

Not repeating as SEC Indoor champs, Jones said, might be the closest thing to a good loss because the team has time to recover from it.

"I think our kids are going to rally," Jones said. "No defeat is really good, but sometimes it is a wake-up call."

If the Gators heard the alarm and qualify in some events on Saturday, those athletes could have an advantage heading into NCAAs.

The Butler Invitational will be held in the RCA Dome, the same venue for the national championships.

Jones said the weight throwers will gain from being familiar with the site, and he expects good things from his three throwers Kristin Heaston, LaShawnda Jackson and Joyce Owes.

"I think they're all going to throw really well there," Jones said.

UF will put its best 4x400-meter relay team on the track in the RCA Dome. The foursome of Peaches Fortson, Kisha Jett, Yolanda Brown-Moore and Hazel Clark have yet to run together this season.

Meanwhile, the No. 8 Gator men will be running for their NCAA lives in a qualifying meet at Iowa State on Saturday.

UF is sending six athletes who are trying to gain entry to the championship meet.

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The ninth season of The Amazing Race will premiere on February 28, 2006 (after the XX Winter Olympic Games come to a close). In this edition, the show will abandon its "American Family" experiment and will return to its "normal" format: eleven teams of two people, each with a pre-existing relationship, will travel to exotic international locations while competing for a million dollars. One of the couples battling for the million resides in Chicago:

Yolanda Brown-Moore: Age: 27

Hometown: Chicago

Family: According to Yolanda, she comes from the "best family" – when they found out she was going to be in The Amazing Race 9 her father, especially, became very supportive.

Profession: science and math teacher / ran track in college

Best Traits: perseverance, determination, good quick thinking

Yolanda Brown-Moore's Background: Yolanda grew up in Gainesville, Florida and was a math and science teacher in Miami before moving with Ray to Chicago. Yolanda admits that she has a bit of trouble finishing what she starts and Ray claims that she often runs late. Nevertheless, Yolanda and Ray enjoy working out together and are looking forward to the adventure of the Race and the thrill of competition.

Ray Whitty: Age: 31

Hometown: Chicago

Profession: intellectual property attorney / amateur rapper

Education: Was appointed by Congressman Charles E. Bennett, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., to serve as a congressional page.

Ray Whitty's Background: Ray is originally from Jacksonville. After receiving his law degree from the University of Miami and practicing law in South Florida, Ray accepted a position as an attorney in Chicago. While Ray is said to be the more disciplined of the two, both describe themselves as opinionated and stubborn.

Dating Couple: Ray and Yolanda have been dating for five years. An accomplished athlete, Yolanda ran track with Ray's cousin at the University of Florida. One day, while visiting his cousin at the track, Ray (a law student) was introduced to Yolanda (an undergrad), but it wasn't until later that the two were reacquainted and exchanged phone numbers.

Ray, Yolanda, and The Amazing Race: Yolanda had been a fan of The Amazing Race for three years when Ray finally agreed to send in an application. When asked how participating in The Amazing Race 9 could affect their private lives, Yolanda said, "Hopefully, it will strengthen our relationship." Ray agreed with her: "I think that you really learn about a person under adversity. Who you are comes out. If we go around the world, it's a goodd foundation for our future."

“It Looks Like I Have a Wedding to Plan!” - An Interview with The Amazing Race 9’s Ray & Yolanda by Jenn Brasler -- 05/19/2006

At the beginning of the season, Ray & Yolanda were known as the long-distance dating couple who had never spent much time together. As the race went on, they proved themselves as competitors, managing to hang on leg after leg until finally coming in third. Read on to find out their take on luck in the race, what they wish they could have done, and what their plans are for the future.

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RNO: Is there anything else you want to say to people?

Ray & Yolanda: The world is waiting… for Ray & Yolanda! YAYO FOR RAYO!